Maximus

October 19, 2010

John Wilson of Roseneath

There is a letter in the DomPost today, from a John Wilson in Roseneath. In it, he says in regards to Kerry Prendergast going, that she “leaves us with more than $250 million of debt and unquestionably the worst architectural building developments in the entire southern hemisphere.”

I have absolutely no idea what he is referring to. Do you?

Presumably, as he is blaming her personally, he means some council development? That would rule out all the new private commercial buildings, and there hasn’t really been that much Council building in the last 9 years – the Library and Civic buildings were complete before Kerry, and there have been a couple of suburban Library jobs and a half-finished Indoor Sports Stadium, but I really can’t think of what he is going on about. Any ideas?

Maximus

“unquestionably the worst architectural building developments in the entire southern hemisphere.”

well you could level that charge at many of the housing projects in Wellington, but as far as i know, Kerry’s not involved in any of them.

He sounds like a complete plonker with a bee in his bonnet.

seaphorm

19 - 10 - 10

if it’s a letter to the editor, then who knows what he’s blaming kerry for. could be any construction that has had even the most vague support from the council.

Maximus

20 - 10 - 10

There’s another massive idiot getting airtime at the moment – Graeme Bloxham, he of the billboard infamy. He not only put up a stupid billboard about Kerry getting ousted, and clearly does not understand the STV system, but has just been interviewed on Radio Active.

On there, he was lamenting that new Mayor Celia had appeared at her first meeting with the media as Mayor on a bicycle. Instead of thinking this was a sensible and ecologically admirable everyday means of transport, he said, several times in fact, that he wished she could have arrived in a 747 jet flying on biofeul, to demonstrate how tech savvy Wellington is. And he was serious.

The stupidity of that statement, and that man, really staggers belief. Apart from small facts like we can’t land 747s in Wellington, let along Island Bay or Civic Square… too much for words. Public stocks, pillorying, and public throwing of fruit at this idiot are called for. I thought he might have been going to say some tech savvy thing like an electric car (the City has 3, bought under Kerry’s regime), or a Segway, or one of those nifty new foldable electric bikes called a Yike – but no, he wanted a 747 entrance.

Silly, silly, silly.

The man doesn’t deserve a vote at all – clearly a complete imbecile.

m-d

20 - 10 - 10

A 747 from Island Bay to Civic Square – given that there is no runway in either place, perhaps he envisages removing the wings and having it jet it’s way down the streets… now that’s rapid transport…

davidp

davidp

Maximus

20 - 10 - 10

minimus – regarding the Gondola proposal – sorry, can’t help but keep laughing as I recall John Cleese talking about gondolas, gondolas, more f….g gondolas….

Anyway, for those that haven’t had enough of gondolas, there is always Palmerston North. Apparently, they’re quite keen on them there, despite a lack of mountains (and canals). Read this: i think they are serious….

60 MPa

Sorry Minimus but there’s one word that argues against gondolas anywhere in Welly – wind.

Popularity of such rides will reduce if patrons become seasick.

When I hear Gondolas I think of the Simpsons’ refrain – “Monorail,Monorail,Monorail!”

Personally I’m looking forward to Celia’s walk/cycleway around the harbour – the 1855 Quake gave us the gift of this unique uplift whereby we have a bench all around the harbour yet it hasn’t been fully linked up.

New Plymouth’s walkway is excellent and their new pedestrian bridge is a stunner – sure our one will be windswept but in this town that’s not unusual.

Cycling from the Hutt will become more viable rather than only for the flouro-clad fitness freaks.
No more Prenderghastly has made me come over all optimistic..

Steven

21 - 10 - 10

Hey all,

Steven Dale from The Gondola Project here. Just wanted to clear up a few issues:

1. Wind is no problem. Gondolas now work in speeds exceeding 100 km/hr winds.

Steven

Which is equivalent to 35 km/hr. While there might be the occasional gust that hits 100 km/hr, it shouldn’t present any major challenges.

davidp

26 - 10 - 10

Steven… On exposed hills around the city there will be several days each year where the wind is pretty much constantly gusting over 100, and a couple of days where it will be gusting over 150. At times we have to close one of the roads out of town because of the risk for cars blowing over. The city has seen a storm with gusts around 275. That’s why we call ourselves “Windy Wellington”.

“On 5 September, an ambulance with three people inside was blown over south of Featherston, and a truck was blown over on nearby Western Lake Road.”

Steven

26 - 10 - 10

Dave,

Then it doesn’t seem to matter what transit you implement. It’s like arguing against ferries because they don’t do well in hurricanes. I suspect in hurricane conditions no one is going to be truing to get around.

I’m not suggesting that cable is ideal for Wellington. Maybe, maybe not. I’m just trying to suggest that common misperceptions about the technology are just that; misperceptions.

Tommy Honey

27 - 10 - 10

Maximus, why don’t you give John Wilson a call and ask him what he’s on about? 04-970 1717 or, if that doesn’t work, try 04-977 3767